I'm going to Giverny in May (woohoo!) and I'd like to avoid some of the crowds by being at the front of the line when they open at 9:30. There is a 6:45 train from Paris, that would get us to Vernon before 8. The bus will not be running that early so I'll probably take a cab to the gardens. Does anyone know if the restaurant across the road from the entrance (Les Nympheas) to the gardens is open for breakfast? I have e-mailed giverny.org and the monet-foundation and I am not getting the answer to that specific question. I have also e-mailed the Terra Cafe at the American Museum but they have not responded. I'm sure there is a restaurant by the train station that is open but I'd prefer to get to Giverny and have breakfast. Thanks!

Most restaurants other than those associated with hotels do not usually open for breakfast, if that's any help. Grab a sandwich at the train station before you leave to be on the safe side.

This is what the Web site of the Terra Cafe says:

"Terra Café vous accueille d’avril à octobre tous les jours, sauf le lundi, pour le petit-déjeuner, à midi, et tout l’après-midi autour d’un thé ou un rafraîchissement."

Terra Cafe welcomes you every day except Monday from April to October for breakfast, at lunch, and throughout the afternoon for tea or refreshments.

I'd grab something at Gare St Lazare if there's time. As I recall, passengers from Paris are on the "wrong" side from the main station building and street through Vernon, but I think there's a café where you come out. If there are taxis waiting, there will likely be a café to serve them.

Otherwise you would have time to double back to the station building, where there is a small coffee-stand which might be open for commuters, and plenty of places along the street in Vernon.

Sorry, all after "Gare St Lazare" in that post is all about Vernon, in case it wasn't clear.

Thanks, everyone. Terra cafe finally responded and they do not open until 10. I was hoping to find a place to spend some time between when I arrive in Vernon and when the gardens open. I appreciate your help.